Hitchhiker Charged In Theft Of Gun, Car

September 16, 1986

KISSIMMEE — A Tampa man was charged with armed robbery early Sunday after a motorist said a hitchhiker took his wallet, a .357-caliber Magnum and his car.

James Brunozzi, Tampa, was driving west on Interstate 4 near the Orange- Osceola county line when the hitchhiker grabbed Burnozzi around the throat and demanded his money, said Osceola Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Walker.

Brunozzi pulled the car over, and the man grabbed the gun out of the car's glove compartment, Walker said. Brunozzi ran from the car, and the man drove off in Brunozzi's 1986 Mitsubishi, he said.

Brunozzi flagged down a passing motorist, who took him to a telephone to call the authorities.

Travis J. Ruiall, 20, of Tampa, was charged with armed robbery, Walker said. Walker said Ruiall was found sleeping early Sunday in the car, which was parked in an orange grove in Polk County.